WESSON – The Co-Lin Lady Wolves (20-2) quickly took care ofbusiness and protected home-court advantage as they cruised pastthe Northeast Lady Tigers 78-66 Monday night in the opening roundof the MACJC State Tournament at Graydon L. Mullen Gymnasium.

In other women’s action, the Jones County Lady Bobcats whipped theHolmes Lady Bulldogs 89-66. The Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs edged theEast Mississippi Lady Lions 67-60 and the Itawamba Lady Indiansscalped the Pearl River Lady Wildcats 79-48.

The Lady Wolves will resume action Wednesday night in thesemifinals against North No. 2 seed Itawamba Lady Indians (17-6).Tipoff is 6 p.m.

Today’s men’s games features, Mississippi Delta Trojans battlingJones County Bobcats at 1 p.m., Gulf Coast Bulldogs entertainsItawamba Indians at 2:45, East Mississippi Lions tangle with EastCentral Warriors at 6 and the Pearl River Wildcats square offagainst the Northeast Tigers at 7:45.

Colin 78, Northeast 66

The Lady Wolves, looking for a title, quickly got to business,using their size, speed and athletic ability to overwhelm theNortheast Lady Tigers.

Co-Lin had four players in double figures. Kiara Etienne knockeddown a team-high 18 points to lead the Lady Wolves. Sedreka Plummernetted 16 points, Paige Webster contributed 14 and JaQuandriaWilliams added 10.

“I thought we could have shot the ball better,” said Co-Lin coachGwyn Young. “We shot our free throws really well, but we did notdefend well like we should have.” His team led 43-29 athalftime.

“Overall, I am glad to get the win, especially since it is thefirst round of the state tournament,” continued Young. “I giveNortheast credit. They did not give up. We will have to play a lotbetter in the next game.”

Chelsey Whitaker pumped in a game-high 19 points to lead the LadyTigers (11-11) with 19 points. Anna Brooke Page provided 13 pointsand Erin Strowder contributed 11.

“Co-Lin is very talented and athletic,” said Northeast coach RickyFord. “They used their size, strength and speed to overpower us inthe game. Co-Lin is well-coached and they executed their game planreally well. Overall, I am very proud of my girls for fightinghard.”

Jones Co. 89, Holmes 66

The Lady Bobcats, coached by Sandra Sumrall, were led in scoring bysophomore forward Tanecka Carey with a game-high 36 points. AlondraRivers contributed 20 points and Kianna Harris added 12.

Tiffany Williams was the leader for the Lady Bulldogs with ateam-high 13 points. Amber Clay netted 11 points and Louise Collinsprovided 10. Holmes is coached by Ron Aldy.